Examination of Witnesses (Quesitons 80-82)
UKTI, BERR, FCO
26 FEBRUARY 2008
Q80 Chairman: What levers does Russia
have to try and prevent this increased flow of energy through
Turkey? What can it do?
Ms Melrose: Buy it all!
Mr Dodd: That is a very big issue.
Its interactions with the Central Asian republics starting with
giving it a source are very important as well, in that Russia's
influence over the Central Asian republics varies from republic
to republic, but as Dianna has pointed out the role of Gazprom
in some of those republics is very important and not always transparent.
Q81 Chairman: There is one final
question from me in the Chair and then an opportunity for you
to think of things that we have not talked to you about. That
is to ask what Turkey feels are the problems in the negotiations
with the EU. We have looked at the EU perspective as to what the
problems are but what is Turkey's perspective on the problems?
What does it resent in the negotiations that are not going very
well and what are its objections?
Ms Melrose: I think it resents
the fact that it is now decades since Turkey was given a clear
European perspective and to hear that called into question after
European Council after European Council has restated a commitment
to Turkish accession is clearly frustrating, especially if it
appears that after an election, a national policy can change quite
strongly. There is also a sense that the EU collectively is not
tough enough with some Member States and that we are allowing
bilateral disputes to interfere in the accession process. You
have just mentioned the energy chapter and there the problem is
that Turkey has objected to the Cypriots auctioning or wanting
to put up for tender blocks for oil drilling. Clearly that is
Cyprus's territorial waters but bilateral issues should not be
dragged into technical negotiations which are around Turkey's
preparedness to join in that chapter, and clearly public attitudes
within the EU; and I think it is primarily a sense that there
is not a level playing field in terms of the speed in progressing
accession.
Q82 Chairman: Is there any other
point that you would like to make from your side of the table?
No. The only other question I have is why is it always whisky
that is such a problem in our trading relationships with the world?
The first people to get a submission in to us was the Scotch Whisky
Association! Why is it always whisky, Mr McInnes?
Mr McInnes: It is always a sensitive
issue. It is an area where we are very successful at exporting
but obviously particularly sensitive in relation to Turkey, an
Islamic country.
Chairman: Gentlemen and lady, thank you
very much for giving us such interesting evidence. We have asked
you for one or two but not very many things to write in subsequently.
If there is anything that you think in the light of this discussion
that we have got wrong or are missing, do please come back to
us again. Otherwise, we look forward to our visit to Turkey in
a couple of weeks' time. Thank you very much.
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